At this year’s Light Commercial Vehicle Motorshow in Sydney, the “Women in Fleet” panel delivered an hour of stories, laughs, and straight talk about what it’s like to work in an industry that’s still male-dominated.
Hosted by Andrea Persico, Senior Consultant at Amped Consulting, the panel featured Shannyn Garrett (Procurement Manager – Property and Fleet at Serco), Deb Bacon (Industry Learning and Development Specialist at the Australasian Fleet Management Association), Nicole Dollin (General Manager Customer Contact and Distribution at the NRMA), and Louise Azzopardi (Tradeswomen Empowerment Coach).
The discussion moved easily between personal experiences, big-picture issues, and practical solutions — with plenty of humour along the way.
Seeing Yourself in the Industry
Nicole Dollin opened by stressing the power of visibility.
“We really need to shine a light on some of those women that are thriving and are in those roles,” she said.
Social media, she added, is making it easier to showcase women who are succeeding in fleet, from LinkedIn to TikTok.
Shannyn Garrett has seen the gender balance shift first-hand. “When I started, I was probably the only female in the team. Now, I only have females in the team. The perception that fleet is all about mechanical skills is disappearing. People are starting to realise it’s a lot more about strategy.”
Louise Azzopardi brought a trades perspective, saying the workshop floor is an equally valuable entry point. “Getting into those trades… it’s such a valuable set of skills to have within a fleet and as life skills.”
AfMA’s Deb Bacon pointed out that many women don’t plan to work in fleet — they “fall into it”. “I got told women don’t do fleet… so I didn’t even know what it was. We’ve got to go back and make people aware of the opportunities.”
The Skills Women Bring
From leadership to organisation, the panel was unanimous that women add valuable skills. Nicole said women often bring a “constructive and consultative leadership style” along with empathy.
Shannyn added, “We are very well organised – and in fleet, if you don’t get that plan right, we know what happens.”
Louise explained that diversity in the workshop can change the culture for the better. “Bringing women in… can really create a safer work environment,” she said, noting that it often challenges the ‘long hours equals success’ mentality.
Deb reminded the audience that fleet now has wide-reaching impacts, from ESG to safety. “Women understand the human impact more and are more willing to ask questions and involve stakeholders in a collaborative process.”
Changing Perceptions and Practices
Inspiring young women to join the industry is one thing; removing the barriers they face is another. Louise shared how women are sometimes “hyped up” about joining trades only to find they can’t get an interview. “We need that follow through,” she said.
Deb emphasised that change requires both women and men to be part of the conversation. “We have to engage both women and men in the industry and just be loud and tell our stories.”
Nicole encouraged leaders to “lean into” their marketing teams and actively signal that their workplace is inclusive and supportive for women.
Why They Love Fleet
When Andrea asked what they loved about working in fleet, the answers revealed just how varied the rewards can be.
Louise loves “being part of the food chain” and seeing how her work connects to something bigger. Nicole is energised by the constant change: “If we’re not actually changing, we’re not moving forward.”
Deb enjoys building relationships and delivering results. Shannyn thrives on the pace and variety: “This space just constantly changes… I love that continuous improvement.”
Mentoring and Support
One of the strongest themes was the value of mentoring. Deb shared that AfMA’s program has supported 110 people over the past four years, 42% of them women.
Louise added that experienced staff should be supported so they can pass on their knowledge without burnout. Shannyn put it simply: “Help us help you.”
Removing Practical Barriers
Sometimes inclusivity comes down to basics. Louise recalled being in a workshop with no female bathroom — an awkward but necessary conversation to have.
Nicole reminded everyone that “not all men are created equal in regards to strength” and that adjustments for different physical abilities already happen in the workplace. The same thinking can apply to gender.
Advice for Women Entering Fleet
Deb’s advice was straightforward: “Be confident, find allies, find a mentor… have a plan.”
Louise recommended fleet for “anyone who can’t sit still” because of the variety of roles. Shannyn shared a laugh about once thinking a fifth wheel was a spare tyre. Nicole summed it up with: “Go in with growth and grit, and you’ll be fine.”
Take a Sister with You
The final messages were about solidarity and shared success.
Nicole’s call to action was: “Take a sister with you… lift each other up.” Deb reminded the audience there’s “a pool of people out there willing to support you.” And Louise left them with one last thought: “There’s no shame in getting help… create that safe space so people can share and grow.”
The Women in Fleet panel proved that the industry isn’t just changing — it’s ready for more diverse voices, and it’s better for it.
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